Transposable window fan assembly



Nov. 25, 1952 J, w, KlsLlNG 2,619,023

TRANSPOSABLE WINDOW FAN ASSEMBLY Filed March 1o, 195o u, JNVENToR. qlk: sri. .u La" JACOB WALTER KlsLlNG AUM/VB6 Patented Nov. Z5, 1.952

UNITED STATES PATEN T OFFICE TRANSPOSABLE WINDOW LiFAN ASSEMBLY Jacob Walter Kislingy St. Louis County, Mo.

ApplicationMarch 10, 1950, Serial No;148,953-

9 i Claims.

This invention-relates to `transposable windowv ian assemblies, and more particularlyltola-win doWffan-Which is susceptible-of physical reversal of its inlet-outlet position with-respect to a Win-4 dowin Which it is installed;

Thisvv applicant is aware that certain provisions have heretofore beenmade -to f enable physical reversal of a motor driven-fanassemblyfrom-anl inside-discharge to an outside-discharge relation tothe window in-whichr-it is installed. However; all such provisions ashave-heretofore come tothe attentionof this applicant, are Vcharacterized by complicated and expensive supporting-provisions; or inthe vcase of certain-structuresrequire the fan-motor assembly to be manually lifted,l re

versed and'resetin--the altered relation` to the window.A Other shortcomings `and difficulties-- have characterized'thevarious assembliesforthis purpose-thusfar offered to the-trade It is'ac` cordingly-a-major and general objective of the present improvements, to rendervirtually 'effort` less-the physicaltransposition ofthe-fan assembly as between f out-draft and in-draft window relations.

The presen-tinvention mayy be' summarized byr reference to the preferredV embodiment thereof-"- as-produced for-the tradeyas including a windowpanel preferably "of a- Width-adjustable character so as to adapt it todiierent window openings; together with a supportingjframe in or on Whichis carried a motor-and fan assembly together'with a painof frame-supporting-arms located atvdi-Y ametrally opposite zones near a paneln opening.v

One 4ofsucharms and thersupportingl frame,A arev provided With a pivotal vconnection adequate to support the frame and contents both whenVK inv operative Yor normal position with respect to theV panel, and also when the frame and fan are conditionedfor movement between an in-draft relationcandl an out-draft relation of the fan.v The companion supporting arm forthe frame on or in which is mounted thev motora-nd fan; is provided withr a detachable clamp-connection in cluding positively inte-rfitting Yelements which position'the frame in proper spacing'from the panel vand likewise'position the-frame',faftertrans position, against rotation about an axis connect'- ing the supportingarms.

A further important object of the invention is` realized in an improved cushioned pivotal connection betweenone margin of the frameand aY supporting arm carriedlbythe panel.

A. still further and important objective is realized in an improved design of clampAformedof.` detachable. elements*` foraselectilvely.l yet posi-fV tively. interconnecting the-.frame supporting'.- the'y fan. and motor, with. an arm` which .is fixed-1. tos.

the panel.

An improved Ysupporting and connecting .structureobj ectively enablesthe-fanrmotor, frameiandv related parts to.` be` moved. thrbugh. an. angularrangeof v186r degrees, aboutan axis normally. con--` necting y two .frame` supports., whila'the frame. and. contents remain supported 1 on'vat; least'.` one of.'l

such supporting. elements, thus). rendering .relae tively, effortless the factv of'. transposition..

The foregoing and numerous yother objectsaild..

advantages.` will morel clearly.. appearllfrom: the..

following vde taileddescription of lfa presently pre1 ferred-embodiment of .the.invention,- particularly.. Whenconsidered in connection with the.-a .,ccom' .v

panying drawing', in which; Y y

Fig. .1 is a .face view..cfa-transposable. .windowv flan 'assembly embodying the present' .improvesments, as viewed4 fromv the inside or room side:

thereof; Fig. 2. is. afragmentary.- sectional elevation taken in a vertical plane medially, and...extends."v` ing` depthwise. of the fan and. motor.. assenfibly,v

andshowing a portion` of aframe structure supporting same, Fig. L 21 being.. particularly..` 10,;4

cated by 1ine2-2.of Fig. 1; s

Fig.- 3is a fragmentary.. top plan gview. showingv certain features of the detachable'clarnp assemf bly. shownV at the. upper lportion of thev .panel vand?` motorsupporting frame, Fig. nbeing-located-br?` line 3-3 ofFg.2; f

Fig. lisa fragmentary sectiorial.viewj@fightsv detachablel clamp assembly-- shown. atf the` upper.;` portion ofthe` panel and the fanem'otorframgl Fig.` .4. being particularly'located.l by linel -llof Fig. 2, and

Fig. 5l is. .a substantially:enlarged, vertical .sec-

tional view through.. a. lower. connection between .the vfan and/motor supporting'v frame,y and a lower-supportingarm` therefor, Fig. `5 illustrat. inga special formof. ball and socket structure, and being locatedI by, 1ine...5-51of Fig.' 1.

Referring now.r by characters :of referencerto.v thedrawing, andrst to Fig. 1, thereisshown.

an adjustable-width window panel'. generallyfin"` dicated at lil, and includngacentral plate-ele.v

ment I l, together with laterallyadjustable.wings I 2 at theleft and I 3 .at .the right `handside.. Pro. 1 vision for adjustment of the Wingsbetweenrelaf tively extended or retracted positionsii'nay beof any suitable nature, butis .shownv asfcomprising a pair of horizontal threadedstuds Ill-.carriedl'byr plate elementV Il, each of thesestuds operatingTUV 1 incident to adjustment,- .along horizontal slotsdi'l in each of the wings I2 and I3, and the adjusted position of the studs, hence of the wings, maintained by wing nuts I6. The top and bottom margins of the panel body I I are provided as appears in Fig. 2, with channel flanges II and the wings I2 and I3 provided with intertting flange portions I8 so that the wings are smoothly guided incident to width adjustment, through the coaction of the marginal channels and anges II, I8.

The central part of the body portion II of the panel is provided with a circular opening 20 providing for ingress or egress of air, according to the adjusted setting of the fan assembly. The

Y opening 20 as will be noted, is substantially in register with the propeller fan P which is driven by a motor M, and the motor and fan suitably supported in a frame characterized by a guard or grille G which overlies the opposite sides and the margins of the fan and motor assembly for the usual purposes of protection. Extending peripherally and substantially in a plane which ismidway of thedepth of the supporting frame and guard assembly, is a heavy metal annulus 2|, through which connections are made at diametrally opposite zones outside of the air opening 20, to a pair of frame supporting arms. One such arm projects horizontally and inwardly from an upper portion of the body I I of the panel and is generally designated at 22, a similar such arm but which is relatively inverted, being shown in the lower region of the panel body I I and generally indicated at 23.

The frame within which is supported the motor and fan, is by preference and as shown, formed substantially symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane parallel to but spaced inwardly of the panel member II. The frame is like- Wise substantially symmetrical with respect vto a depthwise vertical plane at a right angle to the member II, such planes of symmetry intersecting in a vertical line drawn between the upper and lower frame supporting connections later herein described.

It isa preference to provide for a yieldably opposed lifting actuation particularly of the supporting arm 22, but by further preference of the arm 23. To this end, a right angular ange 25 is formed as a part Vof the arm 22, and a similar, but depending flange 26, on the arm 23. Each of the flanges 25-26 is provided slightly inwardly of its ends with suitable bolt apertures one of which is indicated at 21 for the reception of mounting bolts 36. A pair of resilient washers formed of a rubber or other high resilient stock are indicated at 3l. These may, as is preferred, be bonded to metal washers 32 also threaded over the mounting bolts 30, one such resilient bolted assembly being provided in each of the locations identified at 30 in Fig. 1.

Referring now to the improved provisions for directly supporting and facilitating transposition of the fan, the lowermost such assembly, best shown by Fig. 1 as to location, and by Fig. 5 as to detail, includes a two-part screw clamp, the principal elements of which are indicated at 35, below the supporting arm 23, and 36 immediately thereabove. Threaded into the element 36 is a screw 31 formed integrally with the member 35 and extending ,through an aperture 40 in the arm member 23, thence threaded into a tapped axial bore in the'member 36.

Sincein some installations the lower part of this connection may rest on a window sill or other plate element, there is provided a resilient pad which may be a rubber annulus 4I secured to the lower clamp element 35 as by a single assembly screw extending upwardly into a tapped recess in member 35,

The upper member 36 of the two major parts of the clamp, is initially counterbored to provide a socket 42, in the lower portion of which is a coil 4compression spring 43 bearing against a ball 44 forming one of the elements of a swivel joint, the upper margin 45 of the element 35 being peened or otherwise deformed inwardly so as, with the socket 132, to embrace the ball 44, thus constituting the ball and socket joint as a part of the connection comprised of elements 35, 36, M and connected parts.

A threaded stud 44 extends upwardly of ball G4 and is provided with a nut 46, the stud extending through an aperture Gl in the outer frame element 2l of the fan supporting frame.

It will now appear that the elements just described constitute an effective swivel or pivotal connection, as well as a lower anchorage or holddown assembly which, in the example shown, is located at the bottom of the fan and below the motor, frame and guard structure, and in a position such that the axis of the assembled elements 35-36, constitutes a prolongation of a vertical axis midway of the depth of the frame unit, for reasons which will hereinafter be made obvious.

Directly opposite the lower connection just described, is a detachable upper connection, coacting with the upper supporting arm 22 which in effect constitutes a part of such connection, as will now be detailed:v

From reference to Figs. 2, 3 and 4 it will be seen that the peripheral ring v2| is provided with a radially projecting, threadedstud 50, the stud being headed at 5I, below the ring 2|. The stud 56 threadedly receives a large milled clamp nut 52, overlying the supporting arm 22. ProJecting outwardly of the ring 2I at opposite sides of the axis heretofore identified, and which is coincident with that of the stud 50, are a pair of lugs 53 and 54 on opposite sides of the vertical median axis above described. The lugs 53 and 54`are by preference, and as will be apparent from Fig. 3, of rectangular section, and are closely and detachably received in interlocking relation in apertures 55 or equivalent sockets equally spaced at the sides of the stud 5U, and each accommodating one of the lugs, It is noted as sufficient if only one lug such as 5d be provided, with a pair of apertures or sockets 55 equally spa-ced and offset from the axis of transposition, each aperture or socket accommodating the lug 54 in one of the operative positions of the fan supporting frame. The free end of the supporting arm 22 is characterized by an open slot 55,`which is of a width to receive the stud 5i) when the clamp screw 52 is partly or completely unthreaded therefrom. Attention has heretofore been directed to the fact that the arm 22, by virtue of the resilient mounting thereof is susceptible of lifting and lowering movement, toward and away from the fan-motor supporting frame. This provision alone and more particularly in cooperation with the similar flexible mounting of the arm 23, enables, with the nut 52 released, a lifting of the upper arm and a depression of the lower arm such that the lugs 53 and 54 may readily be backed out of the sockets therefor in theadjacent supporting arm. The resilience of the arms afforded by the elastic mounting theerof, similarly effects an instant interlitting relation of the lugs in the apertures therefor, when the fan supporting frame is brought to its operative position,

aciaoraal irrespective of transposition. The resilienceof the-upper arm `22 and the elastic elements 3|, in coactionwith the nut 52 and bolt 5l, serves desirablylto keepthe frame under tension, with minimization of vibration and noise. It is noted that this is possible' byreason of the holdown eiect of the-ball 4d and socket 42.

The manner of `manipulation of theframe and contents incident to transposition is lthought to have been Vrendered fully apparent from the foregoing description of structure, but it may be noted for completeness that, assuming it is desired to change the direction of air current between inflow and outflow relations, the'nut 52 is lbacked oli of stud 59. Ittis not usually necessary fully to remove thenut, but merely to back same away sufficiently to permit disengagement of the lugs 53, 54 from their socketsl As vsoonas this is done, the nutl 52 isl grasped and drawn inwardly toward thelroom side of the assembly, the frame, together with fanand motor therein, rotated about the vertical medial axis described, as is permitted by the swivel action of the b-all and socket joint below` the. frame, During transposition, the` spring143serves asa. resilient support for the operativeA elements and frame, generally indicated atEJ. Suchbodily movement of the fan assembly through 180 degrees,will, now obviously, effectva full reversal ofdirection of air ow.

Upon completion ofthe Vhah? turn required for A theltransposition, thestudfis again inserted in theslot 56, being limited in such inward movement bytheinner end of the slot, whereupon the lugsf53, 54. arein'lexact register with the vconforming apertures therefor. The nut S2 may now befthreaded up on thestudl so as to bring theV lugs fully' into` their sockets, andthe nut kand stud` now acting iirmly to clamp together the supporting ringZl and the supporting arm 22. The fan is now restored to operative condition to deliver air. in thel desired direction Yeither into or out 'of theroom, as the casemay be. Such positionisrxed by the'upper and lower connections as described, and with the fan circle of the fan P in 1 at least substantial register with the air opening 2li lvof thepanel Initial adjustment of the assembly to the width ofthe window' opening will consist merely of backing off'the wing nut IE5 carried by each of thethre'adedstuds 14, and expanding or retracting-the Wings i2, I3 preferably equally, so that the side marginal ila'nges thereof, will snugly t the stiles or other vertical framing elements of the window, following which the wing nuts are firmly threaded up.

Although the invention has been described by particularized reference to a single preferred embodiment, the detail of disclosure should be understood solely as illustrative, and not in any restrictive sense, many variants being possible within the scope ofthe claims hereunto appended,

I claim as my invention:

l. Ina window fan of a physically reversible character, a vertical panel for insertion in a window opening, a motor and a fan operatively connected to the motor, a frame supporting the motor-and fan, the panel Vhaving an' air opening in substantial register with the fan, a top arm element carried by the panel, an arm-engaging element carried by said frame, one of said elefglxnents being provided with a lug, the other ele- I ment including spaced sockets conformed to and adapted to receive said lug in detachable interlocking relation, the lug and lug-conforming sockets being laterally offset from an axis of transportation of the frame.' means: forl detach-f ably retaining the lug in the socket, asecondarmf element on a side of the frame.oppositefthearst said'arm element, and a swivel connection v.be-- tween the` last .said .arm element f and Ilthe framez 2.V In a Window fan 1 of :such .character 'thatlitsl' inletand discharge maybe reversed in' relationitoi the"v window, a wino'lowfpan'el,talmotor;v ai? fani driven by the motor, a substantially circular." frame.' and housing structure.iorithe"y fanlvand motorpthei windowfp'anel having. aacircularfairll opening loi a diameter not substantially inexcessi of that of the.fan,a-pair of .supportingarms yieldably attached to the panel nvzonesdi'am etrally opposite the air opening. inl-theY panel, a@ swivel supporting connection'betweenloneof said"A arms and'said frame', the other of `said armsibeing provided with` spaced lug-receiving socketsf the frame provided withallug--forme'cl closelyto interiit said sockets, and ascrew Tcl-amp constitiitinge-detachable connection between the frame and the-socketed arm, the screw clamp being located substantially on a produced diameterof the frame, and the lug and socketsbeing laterally f oiset from said produced diameter, Wherebyt'o resist rotation of the frame about an axis normal to that of the fan.

3. In a window fan'of a character such-asti) be transposable by half rotationotthelfan-as` sembly about a median axis, a window panel, a-

motor, a fan driven by the motor,- a frameffor' the motor and fan, the panel having an'airopening substantially in register With theffan, a pair' of normally horizontal supporting arms carried'f by the panel in Zones diametrally opposite the-A panel opening, a releasable clamping device-car-- ried by one of said arms and detachably con-- necting same to the frame,v separable clampingY elements detachably secured to the other said arm, a threaded connection betweenv said ele-- ments, the one of said elements nearest theiram'e, being formed to provide -a part-spherical socket, a ball coacting with the socket to constitute" swivel connection, a threaded stud on said ball,` ak nut coacting with said threaded stud for detachably securing same to the frame, and' aV spring in said socket, adapted to compensateV for lost-motion between the socket and ball and further serving with the ball as a yieldabley rest element for the frame, when said releasable` clamping device is disengaged.

4. In a transposable window fama motor, a fan driven thereby, a substantially circularframe. supporting the motor and the fan, awindow panel having an air opening, therein in. substantial register with the fan, supporting arms. carried by the panel and extended inwardly or toward the room side of the panel, a pivotal. connection between one of said arms andtherame,v the frame provided near the other said arm with a pair of spaced upstanding lugs, the last said arm being provided with apertures conformed toand adapted to receive saidlugs, and a screw clamp including a threaded stud extended .radially of the frame, the adjacent lug-receiving arm: beingapertured to receive'said stud, and a clamp screw detachably engaging said stud on the opposite side of the adjacent supporting arm, said arm being adapted for flexing movement toward and away from the frame to a degree such that when the clamp screw is released, the arm and frame may be separated to release the lugs from the lug apertures, whereupon the frame is movable about the opposite or pivotal connection incident to physical transposition thereof in re- Y spect to the panel.

5. The combination and arrangement of elements as recited by claim 4, but further characterized in that the frame is substantially symmetrically formed with respect to a vertical plane, and said clamp screw and said pivotal connection are located substantially in said plane of symmetry.

6. In a window fan of a character such as to be transposable by half rotation of the fan assembly about a median axis, a window panel, a motor, a fan driven by the motor, a frame for the motor and fan, the panel having an air openlng substantially in register with the fan, a pair of normally horizontal supporting arms carried by the panel in zones diametrally opposite the panel opening, the frame being provided near one of said arms with a pair of spaced projecting lugs, the adjacent arm provided withapertures conformed to and adapted to receive said lugs, a clamp including a threaded stud carried by and extended outwardly of the frame, the adjacent arm being slotted to receive said stud, a clamp screw on said stud, the adjacent arm being yieldably mounted to enable same to be lifted to remove the lugs from the lug apertures, separable clamping elements detachably secured to the other said arm, a threaded connection between said elements, one of said elements nearest the frame, being formed to provide a part-spherical socket, a ball coacting with the socket to constitute a swivel connection, a threaded stud on said ball, a nut coacting with said threaded stud for detachably securing same to the frame, and a spring in said socket, adapted to compensate for lost-motion between the socket and ball and further serving with the ball as a yieldable rest element for the frame, when said releasable clamping device is disengaged.

'7. In a window fan of such character that its inlet and discharge may be reversed in relation to the window, a window panel, a motor, a fan driven by the motor, a substantially circular frame and housing structure for the fan and motor, the window panel having a circular air opening of a diameter not substantially in excess of that of the fan, a pair of supporting arms yieldably attached to the panel in Zones diametrally opposite the air opening in the panel, a swivel supporting connection between one of said arms and said frame, the other of said arms'being provided with a pair of spaced lug-receiving sockets, the frame provided with a pair of spaced lugs formed closely to interfit said sockets, and a screw clamp constituting a detachable connection between the frame and the socketed arm, the screw clamp being located substantially on a produced diameter of the frame, and the lug and sockets being laterally offset from said produced diameter, whereby to resist rotation of the frame about an'axis normal to that of the fan, the swivel supporting connection being of a balland-socket type adapted to keep the frame captive when the said lugs and sockets are disengaged.

8. In a transposable window fan, a motor, a

fan driven thereby, a frame supporting the motor and fan, a window panel having an air opening therein in substantial register with the fan, supporting arms carried by the panel, a pivotal connection between one of said arms and the frame, the frame provided near the other said arm with an upstanding lug, the last said arm being provided with spaced apertures conformed to and adapted to receive said lug, and a screw clamp including a threaded stud extending radially of the frame, the adjacent lug-receiving arm being apertured to receive said stud, and a clamp screw detachably engaging said stud on the opposite side of the adjacent supporting arm, said arm being adapted for iiexing movement toward and away from the frame to a degree such that when the clamp screw is released, the arm and frame may be separated to release the lug from the lug apertures, whereupon the frame is movable about the opposite or pivotal connection incident to physical transposition thereof in respect to the panel.

9. In a transposable window fan, a motor, a ian driven thereby, a substantially circular frame supporting the motor and the fan, a window panel having an air opening therein in substantial register with the fan, supporting arms carried by the panel and extended inwardly or toward the room side of the panel, a pivotal connection between one of said arms and the frame, the frame provided near the other said arm with a pair of spaced upstanding lugs, the last said arm being provided with a pair of spaced apertures conformed to and adapted to receive said lugs, said lugs and said apertures-being equally spaced and laterally oiiset from an axis of transposition of the frame, and a screw clamp including a threaded stud extended radially of the frame, the adjacent lug-receiving arm being apertured to receive said stud, and a clamp screw detachably engaging said stud on the opposite side of the adjacent supporting arm, said arm being adapted for flexing movement toward and away from the frame to a degree such that when the clamp screw is released, the arm and frame may be separated to release the lugs from the lug apertures, whereupon the frame is movable about the opposite or pivotal connection incident to physical transposition thereof in respect to the panel, the pivotal connection being 0I" a ball-and-socket type adapted to keep the frame and therewith the motor and fan, in captive relation to the adjacent supporting arm, when the said lugs and apertures are disengaged.

JACOB WALTER IQSLING.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,713,946 Buckley May 21, 1929 2,008,965 Miller July 23, 1935 2,162,418 Kirsch Dec. 14, 1937 2,476,692 Bernstein July 19, 1949 2,553,172 Carrick May 15, 1951 

